Andrews’s Highlights for 2007
Completing the Hay River Lake Eyre Run through the Simpson Desert is always one of my favorites and a must for the experienced desert traveler. I was also pleased to see the plaque and fence placed around Madigan’s Blaze Tree at Camp 16 was still intact from the 2005 expedition. The fence was constructed to help preserve Cecil Madigan’s Blaze Tree at Camp 16 on the Madigan Line route .Mike and Chris Carney from Townsville tested the new V8 turbo diesel Cab Chassis Toyota which soon took its roll in the convoy as the recovery truck proving quite a valuable asset for the group especially when the going got tough.
Moreton Bay Boys College and Terrace College joined the annual outback and beyond trip to the Simpson Desert. It was a great time had by all with the boys experiencing some wonderful Outback adventures. Special thanks go to Rick Sivyer from terrace College and Ian Miles from Moreton Bay Boys College for organizing and supporting this annual event.
The Victorian High Country was eventually put together with the help of Ron Camier from Mountain Top Experience. It proved to be quite a challenge with many of the roads still closed from the Bush fires earlier on in the year and the seasonal road closures. Ron provided the local knowledge and with the help of all on the trip forged our way through the High Country. Over a million square hectares of alpine forests were burnt out in the fires that started late last year and continued to burn through to early 2007. The High Light for me was the party at Woods Point Hotel where Denis Gately provided a memorable night with his singing and guitar playing antics. The trip started in Mansfield Vic and finished at Thredbo NSW 12 days later and planning is on the way for another trip to the Snowy in 2009.
Back to Western Australia for 2008
Back to the west for 2008 with an East to west crossing of Australia planned to leave Brisbane on the 28th July. This trip will not only take in the most easterly point of Australia to the most westerly point. It will also include the Warren Bungles, Far west of NSW, Flinders Rangers, The Googs track in S.A and many of the Len Bedeall tracks of Central Australia.
The planning at this stage is to finish the trip at Steep Point WA and for people to return under there own steam, via the Kimberley in the North or the Nullabor in the south. I am looking at freighting the vehicles back from Perth and flying home for people that are restricted with time. I envisage the trip to take 25 days from Byron Bay to Steep Point.
Please give Andrew a call if you are interested in tagging along as I have received considerable interest in the trip.
Western side of Cape York 2009
This 21 day trip to Cape York starting in Mt Isa and finishing in Cairns won’t be for the faint-hearted. I am planning to tackle some of the lesser known areas on the Western side of the Cape. For those who have done the Cape before you wont be disappointed as I intend to travel a totally different route than the usual Cape Trip. I am also looking at traveling home from Bamaga to Cairns on the barge. This is a 2 night trip which includes all accommodation, meals and vehicle transfers from Bamaga to Cairns. Keep an eye on the web site for any updates.
I am also planning on heading back to Kalamurinnia Station and the southern areas of the Simpson Desert for 2009. For those who have done similar trips in 2005 and 2007 this will be different again. Give Andrew a call for more info.
Brisbane to London 2012
Are still in the planning and I am taking expressions of interest only at this stage until more accurate routes and time frames are completed.
Training News
Apart from our usual driver training days at Canungra and Bribie Island we have designed a new vehicle recovery course for the power industry and a Drive to Conditions course for the mining sector. The Drive to Conditions course is designed to teach drivers accident avoidance and vehicle control in a 4wd vehicle. The Vehicle Recovery Course is held over 2 days and is purely designed for vehicle recovery with winching, tackle layouts and safe working loads the main focus. Both of these courses are nationally accredited and are available through the week and some weekends for the public. New contact Details
As most people are aware we have changed our business name from Opposite Lock to Global 4wd Training and Tours. I have also moved address and have new contact details listed below. We have also updated our website and I am very interested on what you think of the new site.
PO Box 202 Rochedale 4123
07 3423 1458
0407 880372
Andrew@global4wd.com.au
www.global4wd.com.au |
